Election 2013: David L. Hebert, Plainfield Fire Protection District Candidate

Name: David L. Hebert

Office Sought: Plainfield Fire Protection District Trustee

Age: 64

Family: Married/ 2 Children

I have lived in the Plainfield Fire District since 1986

I have been involved in the Fire service since 1966 becoming certified to the level of Firefighter III.  I became certified as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1974.  As a member of the Volunteer Fire Department for the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District, I advanced through the ranks of Trainee/Explorer, Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain until moving to Plainfield in 1986.  In 1987, I became an active member of the Plainfield Ambulance Department as an EMT and then the Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department as a Firefighter then became an Engineer.

I started my service as a Plainfield Fire District Trustee in 1989 by being appointed to complete the balance of a Trustee term available due to a vacancy.  I was then elected in 1999 as a Plainfield Fire District Trustee and completed a 6-year term in 2005. Then again elected in 2007 for the current term.

The District currently levied $6,303,485 for Fire, $4,696,363 for Emergency Medical Services, $1,354,092 for tort liability, $1,203,737 for pension, $290,889 for IMRF, $319,817 for FICA, and 25,714 for Audit for a total of $14,194,097.

The last two years the District has lost over one million dollars in tax revenues.  Based on estimates for this years levy, it looks like the Fire District will lose another million dollars.

My challenges as a Board member with this loss in revenue, will be to work with the other Board members to first and foremost maintain safety for the Fire and EMS personnel, continue to provide excellent EMS and Fire service to the residents of the District. While managing the resources of the District with the taxpayer in mind. These issues need to be kept in the forefront while the Board prepares for the future needs and demands of the Fire District.

The voters of the District voted to enlarge the Board to 5 members in 2007. This has been a great asset in bringing  more diversity to the decisions made by the Fire District Board

As a District taxpayer of over 25 years, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility. 

My Fire and EMS service, as well as my experience and working  knowledge as a Plainfield Fire District Trustee will continue to help in future challenges and decision that will need to be considered and made as a District Trustee